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Google has launched an open operating system for mobile phones, called Android. It has also formed an Open Handset Alliance with 33 partners, promising "better, cheaper" mobile phones.

What is Android?

Android is a series of software tools built by Google designed to power a next generation of mobile phone handsets.

The tools are based on Linux - and so are open source and free to use. It means any one can develop software for the platform and that Android itself can be tailored for individual phones, networks and potentially users.

What is the Open Handset Alliance?

Thirty four companies, including Google, have formed an alliance to promote Android and to develop features and handsets to take advantage of the platform.

Companies include handset manufacturers such as LG, HTC, Motorola and Samsung, chip firms such as Qualcomm and mobile networks like T-Mobile and China Mobile.

What is different about Android?

Google is stressing the open nature of the platform. Operating systems on current phones - such as Windows Mobile, RIM, Symbian and Palm - are proprietorial and have to be licensed for use. Google believes it will be easier and quicker to develop new applications for Android than the other systems.

What kinds of features and phones will we see?

That is the big question. Google and its partners believe that the new phones will make the internet experience on a mobile "better than on a PC".

But they have given little details about how this will be achieved, except to say Android includes an advanced web browser.

Most mobile web experiences are hampered by the limitations of the browser and screen resolution of the handset.

But devices such as the Apple iPhone and Nokia N800 - which are not powered by Android - are already showing the potential for a PC-like experience on a mobile device.

Google and partners have said the new phones will be able to take make web experiences, such as video, sharing content and social networking, much easier on a handset.

The first phones are not due until the second half of 2008